DHS awarded $15.8M for Coast Guard systems integration, with a 2002 start and 2004 end date

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,855,668 ($15.9M)

Contractor: Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2002-08-16

End Date: 2004-07-30

Contract Duration: 714 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IDS COMMON SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND MGT.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.9 million to INTEGRATED COAST GUARD SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: IDS COMMON SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND MGT. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $15.8 million over approximately two years suggests a moderate investment in system integration. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are noted as 'Full and Open,' indicating a broad solicitation process. 3. The contract type, 'Cost Plus Award Fee,' suggests potential for performance-based incentives but also carries inherent cost-reimbursement risks. 4. The duration of 714 days (approx. 2 years) is typical for complex system integration projects. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334511 points to the manufacturing of search, detection, and navigation instruments, providing sector context. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of $15.8 million for system integration is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure implies that the government aimed to control costs while incentivizing performance. The contract's duration of roughly two years suggests a scope that is neither excessively large nor small for system integration services. Without more detailed performance data or comparison to similar system integration contracts within the Coast Guard or DHS, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' which is the preferred method for maximizing competition and potentially achieving better pricing. This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. The number of bidders is not specified, but a full and open competition generally suggests a healthy level of interest from the market, which can lead to more competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a wider pool of potential offerors and more competitive bids.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard is the primary beneficiary, receiving integrated systems for search, detection, navigation, and guidance. This contract supports the operational capabilities of the Coast Guard, enhancing its mission effectiveness in maritime safety and security. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting Coast Guard operations across various regions. The contract may have implications for the workforce involved in systems integration and maintenance within the Coast Guard and its contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that may be adjusted based on performance.
The lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the award fee component.
The contract ended in 2004, and without post-award reviews or performance reports, assessing long-term success or value is limited.

Positive Signals

The 'Full and Open Competition' indicates a commitment to market-driven pricing and a wide selection of potential providers.
The contract was awarded to 'Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC,' suggesting a specialized entity focused on such integration needs.
The NAICS code points to a specific industry segment, implying a focused effort on relevant technological solutions.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 334511). This industry is characterized by high technological sophistication and significant R&D investment. Spending in this sector often supports defense, homeland security, and aviation industries. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for similar navigation and detection systems, which can range from millions to billions depending on the scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC, would have determined its own subcontracting strategy, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of Homeland Security, specifically the U.S. Coast Guard. As a 'Cost Plus Award Fee' contract, oversight would focus on tracking allowable costs, monitoring performance against award fee criteria, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General findings, if any, are not provided in this summary.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Programs
U.S. Coast Guard Command and Control Systems
Naval Systems Integration Contracts
Aeronautical and Nautical Instrument Procurement

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to manage costs and ensure value.
System integration projects inherently carry technical and schedule risks.
Lack of detailed performance data limits post-award assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.9 million to INTEGRATED COAST GUARD SYSTEMS LLC. IDS COMMON SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND MGT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTEGRATED COAST GUARD SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-08-16. End: 2004-07-30.

What specific systems or technologies were integrated under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact systems or technologies integrated. However, the NAICS code 334511 ('Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing') suggests the integration likely involved components related to radar, sonar, GPS, communication systems, and other navigational or surveillance equipment crucial for Coast Guard operations. The contract's focus on 'IDS COMMON SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND MGT.' implies a consolidation or enhancement of existing systems to improve interoperability and management.

How did the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure influence the final cost and performance?

The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF) structure means the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a base fee, and an additional award fee if performance targets are met. This structure aims to incentivize high performance by linking a portion of the contractor's profit to achieving specific, often subjective, metrics. While it allows flexibility for evolving requirements, it can also lead to higher costs if not rigorously managed, as the government pays for all costs plus a performance-dependent fee. The final cost and performance quality are thus directly tied to the clarity and measurability of the award fee criteria and the effectiveness of government oversight in evaluating performance.

What was the track record of Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC prior to or during this contract?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'Integrated Coast Guard Systems LLC' prior to or during this contract is not available in the provided data. As a specialized entity, its history would likely involve similar system integration projects, potentially for government or maritime clients. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, other contracts held, and any reported issues or successes related to their project execution and delivery.

How does the $15.8 million contract value compare to similar system integration efforts for the Coast Guard?

Without specific details on the scope and complexity of the systems integrated, a direct comparison of the $15.8 million value is difficult. However, for a two-year integration project, this amount appears moderate. Larger-scale system modernizations or enterprise-wide integrations for agencies like the Coast Guard can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract likely addressed a specific set of common systems or a particular operational area, rather than a complete overhaul of all Coast Guard technological infrastructure.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or award fee criteria used for this contract are not detailed in the provided summary. Typically, for system integration contracts, KPIs might include factors such as meeting technical performance specifications, adherence to schedule milestones, system reliability and uptime, successful integration with existing platforms, and user satisfaction. The government contracting officer would have established these criteria at the outset, and their effectiveness would depend on how well they captured the desired outcomes for the system integration.

Were there any significant risks or challenges identified during the execution of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list any significant risks or challenges encountered during the execution of this contract. However, common risks in system integration projects include technical difficulties, integration complexities between different systems, schedule delays, cost overruns (especially with CPAF contracts), and changes in requirements. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure itself implies an awareness of potential performance variability, and the award fee mechanism is designed to mitigate risks associated with achieving desired performance levels.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1530 WILSON BLVD STE 400, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,855,668

Exercised Options: $15,855,668

Current Obligation: $15,855,668

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline